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Sponsor a Child in Indonesia

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Progress in Indonesia

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors. World Vision was able to work alongside communities to accomplish the following in 2013.

Trained teachers and school administrators in child-friendly curriculum aimed at helping kids learn how to live in peace with others and how to overcome life’s challenges in positive ways.

Established early child care and development centers for kids ages 3-4, working to increase primary school preparation and enrollment.

Formed community savings groups, giving families access to financial training and services, and helping to increase household income.

Worked with local partners to provide training on rice paddy cultivation and freshwater fishing for families so they can develop skills that will help them earn an income.

Conducted business development trainings to help Indonesians start small businesses and provide for their families.

Equipped health center staff and parents with information on ways to prevent malnutrition, teaching them how to provide and prepare nutrient-rich, age-appropriate foods for infants and young children.

Started children’s forums, study centers, and women’s groups to educate members on issues like children’s rights and how to report cases of abuse, helping improve safety for children within the community.

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World Vision in Indonesia Today

World Vision is committed to partnering with the people of Indonesia to improve their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their children, families, and communities. World Vision’s child sponsorship program plays a vital role in this partnership, with donors from the United States sponsoring more than 9,500 girls and boys. In addition to sponsorship, World Vision operates other programs that benefit communities in Indonesia. Highlights include:

Responding to natural disasters and assisting communities with rebuilding homes.

Nearly half of the country’s workforce is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Products include rice, cassava, peanuts, rubber, cocoa, and coffee.

Indonesia’s national motto is “unity in diversity.” The people are proud that despite hundreds of ethnic groups, they are united as one nation. Javanese, Sundanese, and Madurese represent majority ethnic groups. Although the official language is Bahasa Indonesia, Indonesians speak more than 580 other languages and dialects.

Indonesia’s many different cultures have their own customs; however, most rural people do not celebrate birthdays. Also, many children have arranged marriages. The minimum legal age to marry is 18 for girls and 21 for boys; women in rural areas usually marry by age 20.

History

The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century. From 1942 to the end of World War II, Japan occupied the country. Indonesia declared its independence from the Dutch in 1945, but did not gain autonomy until 1949 after four years of negotiation with the Netherlands.

After decades under an oppressive government, Indonesia held free elections in 1999. The country is the third-largest democracy in the world today.

On December 26, 2004, a magnitude-9.0 earthquake centered off Sumatra’s west coast caused a powerful tsunami in the Indian Ocean that affected 12 countries. In Indonesia, hundreds of thousands of people died and more than 500,000 were displaced.

In 2005, the government reached a peace agreement with separatists in Aceh, an area on the northern edge of Sumatra. Today, another group of separatists — the Free Papua Movement — continue to resist the government’s control.

Two massive earthquakes in 2009 killed about 100 people in West Java and 1,000 in Western Sumatra. Another earthquake and tsunami killed over 100 people in October 2010, and a volcanic eruption that same month killed nearly 150 people and displaced over 107,000 people.

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Prayer Requests for Indonesia

That local government agencies would enact and uphold policies that promote children’s rights.

For families affected by frequent natural disasters, including flooding and volcanic eruptions.

For political peace and stability in the country.

For the many children who live in a challenging environment with limited access to healthcare and education.